In ink-jet printing, ink absorption behavior of printing media is closely related to its print quality. The velocity of liquid absorption into paper is regularly evaluated with a Bristow type tester or by measuring the change in contact angle alternatively. In this study, from the shape of a projected hemisphere of water drops, the changes in volume, contact angle, height and radius of circular contact area were measured using a microscopic video camera. Those shape parameters were compared between water drops ejected from a test ink-jet head and landing on a surface of the photo grade and general grade of ink jet papers. The absorption rate was found not to be varied between the grades although more research is necessary for more exact mechanisms. The volume of a water drop that landed on a once-wetted surface decreased more slowly than on an unwetted surface and the contact angle was lower at equivalent times after landing.